The relationship between media and democracy is rapidly shifting, impacting political campaigning and how we consume information. As these questions become more and more urgent, the University of Michigan School of Information is bringing together more than 20 thought leaders to discuss the role of social media and misinformation at the fifth annual Social Media and Society in India Symposium.  

Taking place on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, the symposium will gather  academic scholars, artists, storytellers and digital influencers  to discuss the many changes in Indian democracy, and how those trends are emerging in the U.S. today. 

“The past year saw the highest number of major elections worldwide, making this discussion especially timely,” says University of Michigan School of Information associate professor Joyojeet Pal. “We need to examine issues such as how artificial intelligence is influencing political campaigning and how influencer behavior affects awareness of social and economic rights.” 

With more than 900 million internet users, India has the second-largest internet user base in the world. It’s also the largest democracy, making it a particularly relevant case study for understanding how social media is shaping democracy. 

“The idolization of figures in the tech industry, a phenomenon that has played out in India, is something we’re increasingly seeing here in the U.S,” Pal says. “The conference highlights how paying attention to global social media trends can help us anticipate what might happen elsewhere, including here in the U.S.” 

With the emergence of artificial intelligence, and as figures in the U.S. tech industry become increasingly involved in mainstream politics, the way people consume information has significantly evolved. The symposium, Pal says, will be especially relevant for those curious about political communication, online brand management, media transformation and democracy. 

“One unique feature of this conference is that, unlike most academic gatherings, the majority of speakers are not academics,” Pal says. “The discussions are highly accessible to the general public, and the invitees are encouraged to share insights based on their own direct experiences with social media’s evolving role. This makes the conversations more grounded in real-world narratives rather than just theoretical discussions.” 

Author, lawyer and photographer Suchitra Vijayan will be presenting at the conference. Founder of the Polis Project, a New York-based media company and research organization dedicated to documenting state violence and authoritarianism, Vijayan is looking forward to engaging with other speakers and attendees. 

“For a brief period, social media genuinely connected ideas and people on a large scale,” she says. “This was in the wake of Tahrir Square and other global movements, when there was still hope that the digital public square could redefine how we share knowledge.But since then, we’ve seen the near-total destruction of what a digital public sphere could have been. Today, Instagram is essentially an ad-driven shopping platform. Twitter is a dumpster fire. TikTok is banned in some places. And now, with AI in the mix, we have to ask: ‘Where do we go from here?’”

Also presenting is award-winning independent journalist Neha Dixit. Dixit, who has done long-form investigative reporting for more than a decade, says the symposium will be a great opportunity to exchange ideas and explore new tools and strategies for strengthening independent journalism.

“Over the past 11 years, India’s press freedom ranking has steadily declined. We’ve seen the suppression of journalists, the killings of reporters, and the legal harassment of those who speak out,” Dixit says. “This symposium is so important. It brings together individuals who amplify marginalized voices, challenge dominant narratives and take crucial positions that support democracy. 

Other presenters include music composer Sambhaji Bhagat, illustrator Stephy Ann Tomy, actor Padmapriya Janakiraman, activist Arjun Sethi, satirist Peeing Human and more. 

DATE: Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m

EVENT: Fifth Annual Social Media and Society in India symposium. 

For registration information and a full list of speakers: Social Media and Society in India